Refugees in Italy, double taxation and "legal highs" – this week at the European Parliament

MEPs are travelling to Strasbourg this week for votes and debates in the plenary. We've selected a few highlights for you.

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Highlights

Refugees in Italy. Civil Liberties Committee MEPs will assess the current situation of refugees and migrants in Italy, which is the main arrival point in the EU since the closure of the Balkan route and the EU-Turkey deal, as well as possible measures to improve it. (Thursday)

Double taxation. Firms within the EU will have access to an effective mechanism to resolve disputes over double taxation (income taxed in two different EU countries). There are currently around 900 double taxation disputes in the EU involving more than €10.5 billion. (Thursday)

“Legal highs”. An informal deal with the Council on new rules to tackle the phenomenon of "legal highs" (legal substances used as alternative to illicit drugs) will be voted this week. The reform includes tighter risk assessment deadlines and a much faster procedure for including suspected substances in the list of illegal drugs. (Thursday)

Development Goals. “UN Advocates”, assisting the UN Secretary-General in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, will discuss EU actions in this field with the MEPs. EP President Antonio Tajani and Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg will open the discussion, with speakers including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and Unilever CEO Paul Polman. (Wednesday)